China tells US not to meddle in Hong Kong's internal affairs

China has warned the United States against meddling in Hong Kong’s internal affairs after Vice President Joe Biden met with two former Hong Kong legislators who expressed concern that Beijing is tightening control over the territory.

Biden met with Anson Chan, former chief secretary and founder of
pro-democracy group Hong Kong 2020, and Martin Lee – founder of
Hong Kong's opposition Democratic Party – at the White House on
Friday.

During the meeting, the activists spoke out against whey they
described as Beijing’s increasing control over Hong Kong. They
also said they fear that only candidates picked by the central
government will be allowed to take part in the 2017 chief
executive vote. Lee and Chan also voiced concerns over press
freedom in Hong Kong - referring to violent assaults on
journalists and alleging that Beijing is pressuring advertisers
to shun critical media, AFP reported.

Vice President Biden underscored Washington’s “long-standing
support for democracy in Hong Kong and for the city’s high degree
of autonomy under the 'one country, two systems' framework,”
the White House said in a statement.

PHOTO: The Vice President drops by a meeting with Hong Kong
pro-democracy advocates Martin Lee and Anson Chan. pic.twitter.com/5HXNqSMGWp

In response, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it
“firmly opposes any countries meddling in the city's internal
affairs in any way,” South China Morning Post quoted.

“Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs,” said a
spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of the Foreign
Ministry in Hong Kong.

The official added that Hong Kong is currently going through a
sensitive political reform period.

“[We] would hope the US would be cautious of their words and
actions regarding Hong Kong affairs and not let Hong Kong issues
impede Sino-American relations,” he noted.

Commenting on the activists’ concerns over press freedom and
other core values in Hong Kong, the spokesperson said that
“Over the past 17 years since Hong Kong's return, the region
has seen the successful implementation of the 'one country, two
systems' framework, which contributed to Hong Kong's great
socioeconomic and democratic development.”

“As a result, the people in Hong Kong are enjoying
unprecedented democratic rights and freedom, which has won
international acclaim," the official added, as quoted by
Xinhua news agency.

During their trip to America, Lee and Chan also met with Nancy
Pelosi, minority leader of the House of Representatives, and
members of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.

“The future of freedom and democracy in Hong Kong is under
serious threat,” Senator Sherrod Brown, head of the
commission, said in a statement, as quoted by Reuters. “China
is already placing 'pre-conditions' on who can run, raising
serious doubts about whether the elections will be free and
fair,” he added.

Hong Kong has continued to enjoy considerable autonomy and broad
liberties as a financial hub since Britain returned its former
colony to China in 1997. Currently, the region’s head is elected
by a 1,200-member committee – the majority of whom are supportive
of the Chinese government. However, Beijing has agreed to let
Hong Kong elect its next leader in 2017.

Several key issues are still to be determined though, including
whether public nominations of candidates will be allowed. And as
the election nears, tensions are growing, with many pro-democracy
advocates worrying that the government will control the choice of
candidates. The government will find a way to control the
election, to only allow a choice between “Puppet A or Puppet B,”
Lee told The Washington Post’s Fred Hiatt.

“We are not asking for a lot,” Lee said. “We are not
asking you to send armies. Just say, ‘Please, you promised to
give Hong Kong democracy, please keep your promise.’ This is make
or break for us.”

Beijing earlier described 75-year-old Lee, a former Legislative
Council member, as a “running dog of the colonialists,”
adding that Hong Kong did not elect its leaders while under
British rule.